Stolen Innocence - Lisa Pulitzer [202]
To Matt Harper, my editor at HarperCollins, thank you for your tireless work and effort and for finding the humor when things went awry. I cannot even imagine how many late nights you suffered, and your skill has enhanced and shaped this book in a way I never could have anticipated. And to Lisa Sharkey at HarperCollins for realizing I had a story to tell and for helping to make it happen. Much appreciation and gratitude to our meticulous copyeditor, Margaret Wimberger, and the many others at HarperCollins whose hard work and dedication under these incredible deadline pressures shone through.
My father and three mothers, especially my biological mother—I appreciate your love every day. Mom and Dad—no matter what has happened in the past and what faces us in the future, you will always be dear to my heart. My love for you transcends everything else between us. Thank you for instilling in me my strength to know what’s right. To my little sisters Sherrie and Ally, thank you for being there for me through the most difficult time of my life, and for helping me to stay strong. Mother, Sherrie, and Ally, please know that I will always be here for you, and my love and devotion will remain forever bright.
Thank you to my eleven brothers and twelve sisters, all of whom I love deeply. I pray for you all and will never give up on any of you, especially those of you who have been there for me in this very difficult time. While our past has not always been rosy, I take great comfort in knowing that despite any distance, we’ve done it together. To Mother Audrey, you know who you are, thank you for not abandoning me, and for continuing to love me as one of your children.
To Lamont, you are indeed my guardian angel. Without you by my side, I would not be who I am today. Your love, understanding, patience, and willingness to listen and share my tears are only a few of the reasons why I hold you so dear. It is with certainty that I say that God sent you to rescue and strengthen me so that I may do this important work. The road has and always will be fraught with hurdles, and even when the horizon may look bleak, we have the greatest gift of all and that is one another and our beautiful family.
Lamont and I could not have survived without the support from our many incredible friends. Merintha and Melvin, you are such dear friends and have been so helpful and caring. Merintha, you were my first friend outside of the FLDS, and you have remained by my side all along, without judgment. Thank you for loving my children as if they were your own. Knowing Lamont and I could count on you to take care of our family throughout this incredible journey made what had to be done that much easier.
We extend our deep gratitude to Dan and Lennie Fischer; thank you for everything you have done to help this effort. We could never have done it without you. You have helped hundreds and we all owe our greatest thanks. To Shem and Lisa Fischer and family, we appreciate and love you more than you know.
Thanks also to our other friends Diane and Jack McSandle, author John Krakauer, Kirby Bistline, David and Cammy Southam, Jethro Barlow, Jerry and Leanne Denman, Roseanne and Les Young, Jane Blackmore, Steven and Dorothy Sheffield, John Morley Black, T.R. and Lacey Dockstader, Hyram and Melinda Dockstader, and so many others.
For all the women who have touched my life in so many ways, Natalee Dutson, Joanna Dutson, Sarah Duston Musser, Lori Barlow, Ashlee Bistline, Shirley Draper, Becka Jessop, Lorraine Fischer, Margaret Fischer, Adrianne Quinton, Meg Wight, Kathy Jessop, Martha Barlow, Jenny Steed, and Leah Dockstader, and to those stepsisters of mine who were kind and caring, I love you all dearly.
A special